Slideshow software suggestions???

New to Mac and want to burn my iPhoto slideshow to a DVD for TV viewing. Any suggestions on what software to use?

Use iWeb. If your new iMac did not come with it you can get it by purchasing iLife 11 from the online Apple Store. Event though you may already have iPhoto and the other iApps you will have to purchase the entire iLife 11 package to get iDVD and iWeb.
There is no other application for the Mac that can come anywhere close to iDVD.
You might try the phone numbers suggested by Ziatron in this topic in order to get a free copy. Many have tried and gotten one sayin that iPhoto has a Share ➙ iDVD menu option and Share ➙ iWeb menu option but no iDVD or iWeb was included with your Mac.
I have a new Mac Book Pro with iLife 11 that does not contain iDVD, where can I buy it?
OT

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Slideshow software-which best to use?

I will admit I posted this first on Final Cut Express as I wasn't sure where to post my question. But, as I found other posts, many similar, but much older, posts (ie software options probably much different now) were posted on iDVD's forum... And, since that is where videos are generally sent for DVD encoding regardless of source software, I figured I should post here as well.
Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!
I want a software application that will create stunning slideshows (I intend to offer my services for slideshows and want to have a better than basic set of options). I have Aperture, iMovie (of course), Keynote and iPhoto (of course) that can all do slideshows. I have always used iMovie. And, it provides great product. But, I'd like to add a bit more to it. I think animation is the correct term... I want to be able to have multiple photos on a page, each doing different things maybe (some of the themes on iDVD do this in the menu... having photos flow across the screen) or having photos stack on top of each other (Aperture has a theme that does this-- but then the whole project is that unless you piecemeal a slideshow into mini sections and then maybe add to iMovie, if that is even possible or even desirable if things won't look consistent). I also like the ability to have a few photos on a screen shot and then zoom in on each photo individually and back out etc.-- zooming in or out with a twist is great too (meaning as you zoom in or out, the photo rotates).
Everywhere I have looked online, I seem to not be alone in finding software that can provide a bit more. This is generally what I have found:
Final Cut Pro can probably do whatever I'd like (maybe plugins would be desired to get smoother/easier results), but it will probably be overqualified and pricy for my purposes ($300 + plugins).
Final Cut Express is no longer sold by Apple, but copies are available from other outlets. I have heard mixed reviews on quality and have even heard that it still is not geared toward slideshows so it is not necessarily a smooth process. (and is still around $180), but plugins are available to add.
ProShow is a Windows based program that everone rants about. But, it is a Windows platform-- which, I've read you can get Parallels software to load PC software onto the Mac. Not really desirable for me. There is a reason I abandoned the PC and I don't want to bring those troubles with me to my Mac.
There is a web-based version that lets you build slideshows online. As far as I can tell, you can try it out... but, eventually you'd need to pay a yearly fee and not all features are available there (but there might be ways of adding features by paying for add-ons to your subscription-- haven't ventured there yet). $30/year or $150/year
I have a PC yet. As it is quite a few years old, I don't know how sluggish it would be with such a program. The program runs $70 or $250 depending on which level of software you get. There are additional sets of themes for $20 a disk so that you can expand your program. Portions of some of those themed disks are only applicable to the $250 program.NOTE: I had to use my PC recently as I had a program that would allow multiple camera angles on a single file to create a wedding video for my nephew. Wishing iMovie would allow multiple camera files running side by side so you can choose which camera angle to view at different parts of the video time.
There are a couple Mac-based programs I have downloaded free demos of: One of them is: Pulpmotion.
It seems to be the closest to what I want, but the themes seem a little cartoonish (the company has a Kidsmotion program which looks like a great option to let your kids get creative, but I don't see the adult Pulpmotion version to be that much more sophisticated in the themes.) I am looking for elegant... with some fun themes. There are a lot of themes, so maybe I just need to search for my favorites. But, my gut says you would not want to do a wedding slideshow with this program, but would be great for a fun slideshow for kids or just a review of a year, or maybe a high school graduation growing up video.
It comes in two versions- Pulpmotion and Pulpmotion Advanced. $50, $130
The second Mac-based program is Fantashow by Wondershare. It appears to be a new program out there (version 1). It is decent, but the music selection doesn't line up with photos. You just drop the music lineup below all the photos. And, as such, you have a hard time seeing where the you are in the timeline. It has great potential as you can choose themes to use on batches of photos (ie have photos be pulled from a sphere for those five photos... and then build up six photos on top of each other, etc.) all in the same slideshow. And it is only $50.
I have heard a lot of buzz on Fotomagico. It has only a five-day trial period. So, I have held off downloading until I know I have five days to devoting to testing it. Rather frustrating as the two competitors above have 30 days I believe. Just for that, I feel like boycotting it. But, if I find it has what I need, what am I to do? The examples they show online don't seem that spectacular other than the person who put the slideshow together did a great job .... but no appearance of animation or any unusual transitions, etc(ie, iMovie could probably produce the same result). So, I am leary of even putting a lot of hope in that program. It has a home version and a pro version. $29 or $140
In regards to the programs I already own:
iMovie does an excellent job... and I could continue using this program and produce wonderful results, but I'd like to expand my options in regards to themes and capabilities to add a bit more artistic approach to it (without having to spend hours using multiple programs to make it happen).
Keynote, I have not tinkered a lot on... but, some of the features in regards to animation and some other effects seem quite nice. But not sure how I could make it turn into a glamorous slideshow. And, I'd have to figure out how to set the duration of each slide. And, not sure if I can set more than one song to it... unless I export the slideshow sans music and add music in iMovie... but, then I'd need to monkey with length of time.. and I don't want to have to work back and forth in Keynote just to line up music and video. I really want a software that I can stay in for the duration and then send to where I need to for encoding, if possible (I already do enough of the multi-application workflows, I don't want my slideshows to be that way too.)
iPhoto-- haven't tried. But, assume it isn't going to be any more customizable than Aperture (which I will describe below).
Aperture seems to be a decent option... but, it is canned slideshow software. There are ways to tweak things but it seems to be a workaround (ie, if you want less photos on a page, you can add text and it will split it up into two slides, etc.) but you can't seem to determine when it does switch animations (ie. finishing one set of photo stacks and beginning a new one in the scrapbook theme)
So, I have, what I thin to be, a bunch of information above. But, I haven't been able to find anything that has knocked my socks off. So, I thought I'd ask you guys if you have experienced the pleasure of using any of the above softwares or, perhaps, different ones that will meet my needs (and hopefully not cost too much) [too much for me would mean over $150, although, I'd prefer something under $80--but, if I am going to be discontent at $80-$150, I’d prefer to spend the little extra on a $180-$200 program] You may know more about a software that I have that I was unaware of or could point me to a better direction.
Please provide any input you have. I have obviously spent some time looking for something!
also... if you could identify the programs that do or do not "blur" (I think that is the term---- it is where when encoded, it does something to the files so that as the kens burns effect goes, it reduces the pixelation)
I basically want a good balance between presets (that are still classy) and the ability to tailor/adjust the presets as I see fit.

I admit that I have not had time to read your entire post, but this is how I suggest making slideshows:
There are many ways to produce slide shows using iPhoto, iMovie or iDVD and some limit the number of photos you can use (iDVD has a 99 chapter (slide) limitation).
If what you want is what I want, namely to be able to use high resolution photos (even 300 dpi tiff files), to pan and zoom individual photos, use a variety of transitions, to add and edit music or commentary, place text exactly where you want it, and to end up with a DVD that looks good on both your Mac and a TV - in other words end up with and end result that does not look like an old fashioned slide show from a projector - you may be interested in how I do it. You don't have to do it my way, but the following may be food for thought!
Firstly you need proper software to assemble the photos, decide on the duration of each, the transitions you want to use, and how to pan and zoom individual photos where required, and add proper titles. For this I use Photo to Movie. You can read about what it can do on their website:
http://www.lqgraphics.com/software/phototomovie.php
(Other users here use the alternative FotoMagico: http://www.boinx.com/fotomagico/homevspro/ which you may prefer - I have no experience with it.)
Neither of these are freeware, but are worth the investment if you are going to do a lot of slide shows. Read about them in detail, then decide which one you feel is best suited to your needs.
Once you have timed and arranged and manipulated the photos to your liking in Photo to Movie, it exports the file to iMovie as a DV stream. You can add music in Photo to Movie, but I prefer doing this in iMovie where it is easier to edit. You can now further edit the slide show in iMovie just as you would a movie, including adding other video clips, then send it to iDVD 7, or Toast, for burning.
You will be pleasantly surprised at how professional the results can be!
To simply create a slide show in iDVD 7 onwards from images in iPhoto or stored in other places on your hard disk or a connected server, look here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1089

IPhoto/iDVD Slideshow Software Options?

I have been unhappy with the resultant quality of slideshows that I have created in iPhoto and exported ('shared') with iDVD. The iPhoto quality is outstanding but I find significant quality degradation in iDVD in terms of clarity and smoothness of Ken Burns effect motion. This poor quality carries-over to the iDVD burned DVD-R.
Does anyone have recommendations for alternate slideshow software options that produce clear, crisp and smooth motion slideshow DVDs?
Message was edited by: MikeyM

Have you asked over in the iDVD forum also? Any DVD authoring program will not be as sharp as what you see in iPhoto or on your computer because all media is reduced to 720 x 540 pixels. The same goes for videos. Smaller videos are scaled up and that's where you can lose image quality.
The two links below are to Apple KB documents on preparing stills and videos for iDVD.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iDVD/7.0/en/6732.html
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iDVD/7.0/en/6675.html
Photo to Movie has received good reports in this forum. When using the KB effect you need to use the largest image available. Not so much with just still photos. As far as videos with motion you did use the Professional Quality setting, right?
In finishing up the iDVD project are you saving it as a disk image first? Then you can check the encoding by playing it with DVD Player before burning. Burn to disc with Disk Utility at the slowest speed available to assure the best burn quality. Always use top quality media: Verbatium, Maxell or Taiyo Yuden DVD-R are the most recommended in these forums.
OT

"slideshow" software?

I have been using iphoto 09 for my slideshows but am getting bored with the themes. I would like to use the themes from iphoto 11 but am afraid to upgrade after hearing all the horror stories about it. Is there a good ( and simple) slideshow software that offers lots of themes and can be imported into imovie easily?
thanks!

Alternatives to iPhoto's slideshow include:
iMovie, on every Mac sold.
Others, in order of price: PhotoPresenter $29
PhotoToMovie $49.95
PulpMotion $129
FotoMagico $29 (Home version) ($149 Pro version, which includes PhotoPresenter)
Final Cut Pro X $299
It's difficult to compare these apps. They have differences in capability - some are driven off templates. some aren't. Some have a wider variety of transitions. Others will have excellent audio controls. It's worth checking them out to see what meets your needs. However, there is no doubt that Final Cut Pro X is the most capable app of them all. You get what you pay for.

IDVD too basic - alternative software suggestions

iDVD is fine for simple things but it's got a lot of limitations: you can't vary the length of the slides or vary the transitions: you can't add motions to slides, etc.
Does anyone know of other slideshow software for iMAC, preferably free or low cost?
Thanks

very confused. you're using idvd to create a slideshow? why not iphoto which is excellent or imovie?

Slideshow Software for 2 External Displays

I'm hooking up 2 different displays to a new Mac Mini. I'm looking for software I can use to run different continuous slideshows on each display. Anyone have any experience with this and have any software recommendations?

Hello,
Wondering if you had success with this? I am also trying to display a slideshow/movie on two large 42in displays that will play continuosly. They are to run in a community/kids cafe all day/everyday. Ideally, I am setting it to remote into this computer and control the content which displays, but initially I want to have a slideshow play in a loop. Any help, guidence or suggestions would be awesome. I am relatively proficient with mac offerings and the platform. I can be reached outside this forum at [email protected] THANK YOU for any help you provide me!
Cheers,
Joe

Photo slideshow software

i've been using imovie to create photo slideshows, sometimes incorporating motion 4 into my projects... does anyone have a suggestion for a software that provides additional templates and design that i can incorporate with imovie? or final cut? thanks

I personally prefer using imovie because I am an imovie-holic!
It really just boils down to which application you are more familiar with. both do a great job, IMHO. Some say that the quality of the photo is better with iphoto, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder-I don't see much (if any) difference.
Sue

Best Slideshow Software

I read in another forum a suggestion to use either Keynote or Sounslides for slideshows. I have struggled through many different software applications for slideshows, including Photo to Movie, SWF n Slide pro, to name a couple, but have yet to find one that simply does what some PC programs do - drag and drop capability, a wide variety of transition effects, random transitions, ability to customize the transition timing for any given slide(s), multiple audio tracks, and ability to also work with swf files. I have also tried iPhoto and iMovie, but they did not do the trick either. iMovie in particular seems to take forever as it renders the project after each change, and also seems to constantly alter the transition timings. Keynote looks like it might fit the bill, but from the Apple site it is hard to tell which of these features may be present, and of course having no demo capability doesn't help. I am a little scared since '08 version seems to have tons of problems if the forum discussions are a true indication of the product.
I am doing the work on an iMac running 10.3.9, but can move it to my MacBook pro running 10.5.
If anyone has had good experience with slideshows using Keynote (or Soundslides) please let me know. Also, what would be the best way to finalize a project done with either package for others to view it in - I would think iDVD would be best but I would like to hear from anyone who has put together successful slideshows.

I read in another forum a suggestion to use either Keynote or Sounslides for slideshows. I have struggled through many different software applications for slideshows, including Photo to Movie, SWF n Slide pro, to name a couple, but have yet to find one that simply does what some PC programs do - drag and drop capability, a wide variety of transition effects, random transitions, ability to customize the transition timing for any given slide(s), multiple audio tracks, and ability to also work with swf files. I have also tried iPhoto and iMovie, but they did not do the trick either. iMovie in particular seems to take forever as it renders the project after each change, and also seems to constantly alter the transition timings. Keynote looks like it might fit the bill, but from the Apple site it is hard to tell which of these features may be present, and of course having no demo capability doesn't help. I am a little scared since '08 version seems to have tons of problems if the forum discussions are a true indication of the product.
I am doing the work on an iMac running 10.3.9, but can move it to my MacBook pro running 10.5.
If anyone has had good experience with slideshows using Keynote (or Soundslides) please let me know. Also, what would be the best way to finalize a project done with either package for others to view it in - I would think iDVD would be best but I would like to hear from anyone who has put together successful slideshows.

Windows-based photo slideshow software?

Hi,
I currently use iMovie 06 on my iMac to create photo slideshows/montages but would also like to create similar videos using my laptop (Dell w/ Windows XP). I apologize posting this on a Mac forum but could fellow board members provide me with some names of Windows-based software that is similar in nature and quality as iPhoto/iMovie to create these types of videos (and, if possible, one that does not require a huge learning curve)? I just recently came across "Memories on TV" and "muveeNOW" posted below, respectively.
http://www.bitsdujour.com/index.aspx?page=index.aspx%3Freview%3D11
http://www.bitsdujour.com/index.aspx?page=index.aspx%3freview%3d38
Any further input/suggestions would be greatly appreciated... thank you!

I personally prefer using imovie because I am an imovie-holic!
It really just boils down to which application you are more familiar with. both do a great job, IMHO. Some say that the quality of the photo is better with iphoto, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder-I don't see much (if any) difference.
Sue

Need to convert .wmv to .mov. Any software suggestions?

Anyone using software to convert files to incorp. into their iMovie projects? I need to convert some .wmv files to .mov or .mpeg. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Ed

Not easy or cheap:
http://www.danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/qt_plugins/3002.shtml

Kiosk-type slideshow presentation: suggestions for Keynote alternate app?

I’m looking for some software ideas to accomplish the following task.
I am looking to create continuously-playing slideshow presentations to to play on a flat-screen tv/monitor (~42”) running on an Intel MacMini.
The monitor will be placed in the physician lounge of a hospital and its intended purpose is to be a source of “bullet-point” type information for physicians regarding a wide variety of topics (new drugs added to the hospital formulary, new hours of operation of the outpatient laboratory, etc -- pretty much general F.Y.I. stuff). (There will be no sound).
My current plan is to use Keynote which seems to meet the basic needs of this setup (although I’m not sure you can set it to continuously loop).
I am curious if anyone can recommend any other applications for this purpose. I’m a pathologist (but really a closet graphic designer), and love playing with graphic/multimedia applications. Keynote does the nuts and bolts of what I need -- looking for any recommendations of other applications that might give me more “wow factor”.
Thanks for your thoughts!

Keynote does looping just fine, and you can now automate all your transitions and builds, so it should work as a self running kiosk. What you might want to do though, is build your preso and then export it as a QT movie and have THAT playing in QT Pro on a loop. Reason being is playing a movie over and over is easy on the machine...playing a Keynote preso over and over with all those timings could leave you open for problems (I know one person on this forum once mentioned having to restart Keynote once a day to make sure the thing kept running.

Software suggestions for old iSight camera/PowerBook G4

Hi All,
I have an old stand alone iSight camera and an old PowerBook G4 that I would like to use as a "webcam". Currently I have the old iSight hooked up to my iMac 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 and am running Sequenz to save an image to my public DropBox folder. The camera takes pictures of our back yard once every hour and updates the image in my DropBox. I share the current along with our weather station data with our active adult community. The system works just fine and the residents love it. BUT...
For many reasons, especially security, I would like to get the camera off my main desktop computer and put it on this old PowerBook running 10.4.11.
Sequenz will only work with 10.6 and the PowerBook cannot run that OS.
Is there another piece of software that will work for me? I just want software that will caputure a picture and save it/update the file in my DropBox folder on a specified schedule.
Thanks for any help.

You're most welcome, Suzanne.
As you obviously know, regardless of your specific requirements at this time, your choices for apps that work with Mac OS X 10.4 will be limited by the fact that the MacOS you plan to use is now three generations old. OS X 10.4.11 is a great OS, but little if any new commercial software is being developed for it now.
However, here are "in the clear" links for three webcam apps that claim work with
Mac OS 10.4.11:
http://www.securityspy.com/                       (click for ->online user guide manual)
http://www.evological.com/evocam3.html   (click for ->explanation of the free trial)
http://www.arborbits.com/icamshare/         (click for ->free trial version)
Although they all operate differently, each of these programs can be configured to perform a variety of tasks. The FAQs, downloadable user guides, free trial, etc. for these apps will let you decide which, if any, can do what you need. Unless you get a specific answer that works for you, you will need to do as much research or evaluation as is necessary to decide whether any of the apps are right for you.
If none of them does what you want, I suggest you ask your Apple retailer whether he has (or can recommend) any MacOSX10.4-compatible software that meets your needs.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim

IPod Software Suggestions

Suggestions for future iPod software versions:
1. An option for the backlight to stay on when connected to power source (would be useful when using iPod in car).
2. While iPod is playing a playlist, when you go to the Music > Artists, Albums, Genres, Composers menus, instead of the first song in the list being highlighted, it would find the artist or album currently being played.
Just a couple of suggestions this user thinks would be useful!
compaq persario Windows XP

Those are some good ideas, but i dont think that it would be classified as a question

Project Mgmt Software suggestion

Hello-
Apologies in advance if this is the wrong forum for this question.
I'm wondering if anyone might be able to suggest a good, reasonably priced project management software that is compatible with OS 10.4.
Some quick background details:
I am an educator who manages several academic projects and would like to have something that would allow me to enter information such as
1. Project name/title
2. Project notes (e.g., status, last items worked on and so forth)
3. Track Time spent on project (e.g., 2 hours today, 3 hours yesterday)
4. Calculate total time spent on project
Thanks.

There are several really cool online applications at 37 Signals.
The have free versions, free trials, and educational discounts.
I pay them $5 a month for the backpack product and I'm very happy with it.

Slideshow software or plugins

I would like to know if there are any plugins that exist for Aperture to extend it's slideshow capabilities?
Actually, what is the very best software application on the Mac for slideshows? is it Aperture or is there any better 3rd party applications available?
I checked quickly on the internet and did not find anything very interesting for the Mac...

iMovie, on every Mac sold, as is iDVD.
Others, in order of price:
PhotoPresenter $29
PhotoToMovie $49.95
PulpMotion $129
FotoMagico $29 (Home version) ($149 Pro version, which includes PhotoPresenter)
Final Cut Express $199
It's difficult to compare these apps. They have differences in capability - some are driven off templates. some aren't. Some have a wider variety of transitions. Others will have excellent audio controls. It's worth checking them out to see what meets your needs.
However, there is no doubt that Final Cut Express is the most capable app of them all. You get what you pay for.
Regards
TD

Slideshow software suggestions???

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